| Content Note | Topics discussed:
Approval, signing and amendment of the 376th Commission meeting minutes:
a) 35th Annual Report of the Commission
b) Report of the 420th Finance Committee meeting and annual estimates 1955-1956.
Membership of the Commission
Mentions that Mr T.C. Webb, the recently appointed High Commissioner for New Zealand, had arrived in the UK. Also mentions that that Mr. Mohammed Ikramullah had been appointed High Commissioner for Pakistan in London.
New Year Honours
K.C.M.G. awarded to former Vice Chairman of the Commission Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith. C.M.G. awarded to Mr J.S. Bennett, Colonial Office.
M.B.E. awarded to Miss R.M. Meyler, Executive Officer at the Commission's Headquarters at Wooburn Green, and Mr E.A. Greene, Senior Superintendent of Works, French District.
B.E.M. awarded to Mr. W.H: James, Gardener Caretaker, North West European District.
Death of Mr A.A. Eales
Refers to the death of Mr A.A. Eales, Chairman of the South African Agency.
Sir Edward Peacock
Mentions that Sir Edward Peacock, Chairman of the Trustees of the Endowment Fund, had retired from the leadership of Messrs. Baring Bros. & Co., Ltd., but would retain the Chairmanship of the Endowment Fund Trustees.
Report of the 421st Finance Committee meeting
Item 1 referred to replacement headstones for Merville Communal Cemetery and Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Item 2 dealt with appointments to the Permanent Maintenance Staff.
Item 12 recommended construction at Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Item 13 referred to the memorial to the missing proposed for Nairobi War Cemetery.
Item 14 recommended expenditure on the supply of name panels for the Groesbeek Memorial.
Commonwealth-Foreign Joint Committees
Refers to changes in the membership of the Commonwealth-Belgian Joint Committee, including Official and Honorary Members.
Jerusalem War Cemetery
Summary of progress of negotiations between U.N.T.S.O. and the Israel and Jordan governments regarding Jerusalem War Cemetery.
Examination of sketch design by W.F. Stewart, A.R.I.B.A, for Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria, with comments regarding the omission of the paved paths and platform for the Cross and to the addition of a shelter of a design to be approved by the Vice-Chairman and the Artistic Adviser.
49th Quarterly Report for the maintenance of the war graves in the United Kingdom
Mentions that the Vicar of Great Bircham had given his formal approval to the placing on the wall of the Churchyard of a bronze panel commemorating the unveiling of the Cross of Sacrifice by His Majesty King George VI in 1946. Also mentions that the casket containing the key used by Her Majesty the Queen at the Unveiling of the Runnymede Memorial was now in place.
Arnos Vale Crematorium, Bristol
Resolution for the signing and affixation of the Commission’s seal to Deed of Grant from the Bristol General Cemetery Company, relating to the right to erect and maintain in an agreed position within the precincts of the British Crematorium, a memorial commemorating the members of the Commonwealth Forces who died in the 1939-1945 War and were cremated there.
18th Division Memorials at Clapham Junction, Thiepval and Trones Wood
Resolution for the transfer of stock for the maintenance of the 18th Division memorials at Clapham Junction, Hooge, Belgium; at Thiepval, France; and at Trones Wood, Guillemont, France.
General notes
Mentions ceremonies having taken place at various war cemeteries all over the world.
Unveiling of the Sai Wan Bay Memorial
Description of arrangements for the unveiling of the Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong on Sunday 20 February 1955.
Commonwealth-Italian War Graves Agreement
Mentions that the Commonwealth-Italian War Graves Agreement, signed in 1953, had been approved by the Lower House of the Italian Parliament.
Date of next meeting scheduled for Thursday 17 February 1955 at 11:00am.
ATTENDEES:
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore, G.C.B., D.S.O. (Vice-Chairman in the Chair)
Frederic Hudd, Esq., C.B.E. (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
W.H. Bunning, Esq., M.C. (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
J.G Hale, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand)
C.H. Torrance, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
T.K. Nandi, Esq. (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Captain M. Jan (Representing the High Commissioner for Pakistan)
A.J. Isaac, Esq. (Representing the Minister of Works)
General Sir Robert Gordon-Finlayson, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., D.L.
The Rt. Hon. Sir Patrick Spens, O.B.E., Q.C., M.P.
General Sir Harold Campbell, G.C.V.O., D.S.O.
ADVISERS:
Sir Edward Maufe, Esq., R.A., F.R.I.B.A. (Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser)
SECRETARY:
F. Higginson, Esq., C.B., C.M.G.
Also in attendance:
F.C. Sillar, Esq., C.B.E. (Principal Assistant Secretary)
W.J. Chalmers, Esq., C.B.E. (Assistant Secretary)
Brigadier N.E.V. Patterson (Principal Deputy Director of Works)
H.L. Simmons, Esq. LL. B (Legal Adviser)
O.D. Holt, Esq., (Principal, Secretarial Branch)
Colonel E.A. Griffin, O.B.E., E.D. (Chief Administrative Officer, United Kingdom) |